DPS Crime Log for November 14, 2008

Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Suspicious package
John McCormack Road
Respondent one reports he discovered an unattended suspicious package on John McCormack Rd. MPD checked the package and determined the package safe.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Student Code Violation
Spellman Hall
A violation of the CUA policies and procedures occurred at Spellman Hall.  The incident will be referred to the office of Judicial Affairs.

Thursday, November 6, 2008
Student Code Violation
Conaty Hall
A violation of the CUA policies and procedures occurred at Spellman Hall. The incident will be referred to the office of Judicial Affairs.

Thursday, November 6, 2008
Sick person to the Hospital
Pryzbyla Center
Respondent one reported correspondent one was ill.  EMS was notified, respondent and transported to the hospital.

Thursday, November 6, 2008
Fire Alarm
Reardon Hall
DPS responded to an activated fire alarm.  The building was searched for signs of fire with negative results. Further investigation revealed a pull station had been activated. DCFD was not notified. FMO was notified.

Friday, November 7, 2008
Flooding
Respondent one reported a toilet overflowing causing a flood. FMO was notified. There was no visible damage to the building.

Friday, November 7, 2008
Fire Alarm
Flather Hall
DPS responded to an activated fire alarm. The building was searched for signs of fire with negative results.  Further investigation revealed that a switch on the alarm panel was low.  FMO was notified.  DCF was not notified.

Saturday, November 8, 2008
Simple Assault
Brookland/CUA Metro Station
Correspondent one reports being assaulted by S/1 EMS was notified, responded, and transported Correspondent one to the hospital.  Suspect one as arrested by Metro Transport Police.  Area coordinator was notified and on the scene.

Saturday, November 8, 2008
Student Code Violation
Spellman Hall
A violation of the CUA policies and procedures occurred at Spellman Hall.  The incident will be referred to the office of Judicial Affairs

Saturday, November 8, 2008
Fire Alarm
Magner House
DPS responded to an activated fire alarm.  Further investigation revealed a pull station had been activated. DCFD was notified.

Saturday, November 8, 2008
Sexual Abuse
Brookland/CUA Metro Center
Correspondent one reports that suspect one touched her without her permission.  MPD was notified.  This report was generated on 11/09/08.

Monday, November 10, 2008
Sick Person to the Hospital
Crough Center
Respondent one noticed correspondent one was ill and notified EMS. EMS responded and transported correspondent one to the hospital.

Monday, November 10, 2008
Theft from Auto
Harewood Road
Correspondent one reports he parked his vehicle on Harewood Road at 1000 hours. Correspondent one returned at 1830 and discovered his vehicle window had been shattered and property taken from the vehicle. Property Taken: iPod, Cover, Charger, Connector

Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Destruction of Property
Centennial Village
Respondent One reports the south gate kiosk glass was shattered and the frame broken.  It is unknown                       how the incident occurred.  FMO was notified.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Theft from Auto
Harewood Road
At 1105 hours, correspondent one returned at 11500 hours and discovered property had been taken from the vehicle. Property taken:  Radio/CD player

Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Damage to property
Millennium North
Respondent one reports discovered damage to the loading dock retaining wall.  It is unknown how the damage occurred.  FMO was notified.

Monday, November 12, 2008
Harassing Phone Calls
Reagan Hall
Correspondent one reports receiving harassing phone calls from an unknown caller.  Area coordinator and DPS was notified.

DPS Says They Have Right to ‘Observe’ Off-Campus Events

The Department of Public Safety says that when they receive complaints about students off campus they have the right to observe what is going on in residential neighborhoods.

According to Cheryl Pendergast, Associate Director of the Department of Public Safety, fresh pursuit is not the same as DPS observing and patrolling areas off campus.

“We know we have no authority off campus in residential places like Lawrence Street,” said Pendergast.

Earlier this year it was reported that DPS officers have been going to parties and patrolling neighborhoods where students live.

Pendergast said that if the University gets a complaint from neighbors in the community about a party then they have the right to go and observe what is going on.

“We have a right when we get a complaint to go and check out the complaint then we call the proper authority’s who have the powers to exercise whatever lawful rights they have,” said Pendergast.

In addition Pendergast said that if MPD does not take any action in cases where they were called out to investigate that does not prevent DPS from generating a report.

Three Cars Parked by DuFour Center are Broken Into

Three vehicles were broken into between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the DuFour Center parking lot on Monday.

An unknown suspect broke into the vehicles after smashing the windows of the cars, according to a Department of Public Safety report. Property was stolen from two vehicles, including cell phones and credit cards.

“DPS advises students, staff and faculty to ensure that their vehicles are locked when they leave them,” said Cheryl Pendergast, associate director of DPS, in an e-mail.

“They should never leave any items such as loose change, purses, briefcases, GPS devices, clothes, equipment, iPods, MP3s players, radios in plain sight. These items should be placed in the trunk of a vehicle or taken with the owner,” Pendergast added.

DPS does regular patrols of the parking lot at the DuFour Center, Pendergast said.
Pendergast declined to commit on whether the DuFour Center parking lot has security cameras.

Student Suspended for Off-Campus Traffic Violation

DPS May Have Violated Law by Pulling Him Over

BY JOHN P. SCHMIDT AND RYAN J. REILLY

Traffic violations rarely affect more than insurance premiums and license points, but one sophomore just lost a semester’s tuition and enrollment at the University for driving the wrong way on John McCormack Road.

Sophomore Justin DiFranco, a 19-year-old marketing major from New Jersey, made an illegal turn onto Michigan Avenue when the gate to campus near the Metro was closed. Lt. Marvin Dicks witnessed the vehicle operated by DiFranco moving erratically at a high rate of speed on Aug. 26 at 1:50 a.m., according to a Department of Public Safety report obtained by the Tower. Thirty-one minutes later, Dicks said he observed the same vehicle enter Spellman parking lot and pulled over the silver Jeep Grand Cherokee.

DPS contacted the Metropolitan Police Department, who searched the vehicle and issued a sobriety test, DiFranco said. The test indicated DiFranco had nothing to drink, and MPD left the scene without filing a report. DPS issued an incident report and referred the incident to the Office of Judicial Affairs, who prosecuted DiFranco for violating a section of the student code of conduct which says the University can pursue disciplinary action against a student for violating a District or federal law off-campus. Read more

Crime Blotter Up to October 7, 2008

Friday, October 3, 2008
12:24 p.m.
SICK PERSON
Hannan Hall
Correspondent one became ill while in Hannan Hall. EMS was notified and responded. Correspondent one refused transport to the hospital.

Friday, October 4, 2008
4: 30 p.m.
LOST PROPERTY
Pryzbyla Center
Correspondent One reports he left his property on 1st floor of the Pryzbyla Center. Correspondent One returned and property was gone.
Lost Property: Red and Black checkered back pack, wallet, credit cards and books.

Saturday, October 4, 2008
12:22 a.m.
STIDENT CODE VIOLATION
Camalier House
Suspect One and Suspect Two were referred to Judicial Affairs for violation of University Policy and Procedure.

Saturday, October 4, 2008
11:54 p.m.
INJURED PERSON
Spellman Hall
Respondent One observed that Correspondent One had been injured. Correspondent One did not indicate how or where the injury occurred. EMS was notified and responded. EMS attended to Correspondent One on the scene. Correspondent One refused further medical attention.

Sunday, October 5, 2008
12:00 a.m.
SICK PERSON TO THE HOSPITAL
Leahy Hall
Correspondent One, a visitor to CUA, required medical attention from alcohol consumption. EMS was notified, responded and transported Correspondent One to the hospital.

Sunday, October 5, 2008
12:22 a.m.
SICK PERSON TO THE HOSPITAL
Magner House
Correspondent One reported that he was ill. EMS was notified, responded and transported Correspondent One to the hospital.

Sunday October 5, 2008
1:55 a.m.
AUTO ACCIDENT
McMahon Lot
Respondent One accidentally struck a concrete base in McMahon Lot. There were no reported injuries.

Thursday, October 2, 2008
10:00 p.m.
LOST PROPERTY
CUA
Correspondent One stated she lost her cell phone while walking on the CUA campus. Incident was reported to DPS on 10/05/08.

Sunday, October 5, 2008
SICK PERSON TO THE HOSPITAL
Regan Hall
Respondent One reported that he was ill. EMS was notified, responded and transported Correspondent One to the hospital.

Monday, October 6, 2008
6:30 a.m.
FIRE ALARM
Hannan Hall
Respondent One states that while cleaning on the first floor of Hannan Hall, she accidentally activated the pull station alarm. FMO was notified. DCFD was not notified.

Monday, October 6, 2008
11:15 p.m.
SICK PERSON TO THE HOSPITAL
Centennial Village
Correspondent One required medical attention. EMS was notified and responded. Correspondent One was transported to the hospital.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008
12:13 a.m.
POSSESSION OF PROHIBITED WEAPON (KNIFE)
Centennial Village
Respondent One found prohibited weapons (knife) in a resident hall room while conducting a search. Incident is under investigation and will be referred to Judicial Affairs.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008
1:55 a.m.
STUDENT CODE VIOLATION
Brookland Ridge Apartments
MPD conducted a traffic stop of Suspect One after DPS and MPD observed Suspect One driving recklessly. Incident will be referred to Judicial Affairs.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008
3:13 p.m.
INJURED PERSON TO HOSPITAL
Crough Center
Correspondent One fell and injured himself. EMS was notified, responded and transported Correspondent One to the hospital.

DPS Nabs Movies on the Mall Streaker

The Department of Public Safety apprehended a streaker during the annual Movies on the Mall event Sunday night.

During the showing of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the student ran beside the screen, stopping to perform a few dance moves. Following the dance, he ran along the adjacent sidewalk and entered a Blue Volkswagen Jetta, which was then surrounded by DPS vehicles for about 30 minutes.

Three DPS officers interegated the student.

The student will be referred to Judicial Affairs, according to the DPS crime blotter.

“Section IV of the Code of Student Conduct indicates that ‘the imposition of sanctions is based on the nature of the violation and the severity of any damage, injury or harm resulting from it, present demeanor of the student or status of the student organization and the past disciplinary record of the student or student organization,’” said Jonathan Sawyer, associate vice president for Student Life and Dean of Students.
In addition, there was also a steaker during the earlier showing of Get Smart, although he was not visible to most of the crowd.

Crime Log Up to September 17

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Tuesday, September 9, 2008
3:15 p.m.
DAMAGE TO PROPERTY
Ryan Hall
Respondent one reports while moving furniture complainant one’s property fell on the floor. Property: Television.

Sunday, September 14, 2008
1:54 a.m.
STUDENT CODE VIOLATION
Camalier House
Respondent one reports he observed a violation of the student code. This incident will be referred to Judicial Affairs.

Friday, September 14, 2008
6:30 p.m.
ROBBERY
Fort Totten Metro Station (Off Campus)
Complainant one reports he was assaulted and robbed while walking to the metro. MPD was notified and responded.

Sunday, September 14, 2008
11:59 p.m.
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY
Millennium South Hall
Respondent one reports unknown persons destroyed furniture in the first floor community room.

Sunday, September 14, 2008
3:30 a.m.
SIMPLE ASSAULT
700 Block of Lawrence Street
Complainant one and complainant two report after a brief verbal exchange, suspect one assaulted complainant two. Complainant one was injured during the assault. MPD was notified and responded. Suspect one was later arrested by MPD.

Sunday, September 7, 2008
3:00 a.m.
SEXUAL ALLEGATIONS
Magner House
Complainant one reports she may have been sexually assaulted. The suspect is known to the victim.

September 11-15, 2008
10 p.m. – 10 p.m.
HARASSMENT
Conaty Hall
Complainant one reports she has received harassing communications.

August 25-27, 2008
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
McMahon Hall
Respondent one reports a desktop computer was taken from the listed location. MPD was notified.

Bomb Threat At Basilica

A bomb threat was called into the Department of Public Safety last night, threatening the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Metropolitan Police Department responded at approximately 8:30 p.m. and cordoned off many parts of campus near the site.

“No part of the campus was evacuated,” said Victor Nakas, associate vice president for Public Affairs. “It was not judged that it was necessary.”

Nakas had not been informed by DPS as of 10:05 p.m. when the Tower called him at his residence seeking comment, despite his office having the sole responsibility to send out Alert DC text messages to the student body. At 11:01 p.m., he sent out an email to all undergraduate students explaining the incident.

“We notified him as soon as we could,” said Marcus Carr, a lieutenant for DPS. “We were on the scene and had an emergency going on. We could not leave to make the notification. Our intent is always to notify our superiors as soon as possible.”

Carr said that DPS worked jointly together with other law enforcement agencies and took the risk seriously.
“We did what we had to do to make sure that nobody was put in harm’s way,” said Carr. “Everything was confined to the Shrine. The campus was not in any immediate threat.”

About 20 MPD vehicles were on the property, in addition to DPS trucks and several unmarked law enforcement cars. K-9 units were deployed as well to search the interior and grounds.

The Basilica choir’s evening rehearsal was cut two hours short when they were asked to evacuate the building by security, while the MPD Explosive Ordinance Division, commonly known as the bomb squad, was arriving.

A state of all-clear was declared at approximately 11 p.m. and it was deemed that the evening’s events were “one of the hundreds of prank calls they get regularly,” according to Quintin Peterson, an officer with MPD.

“[It was] confirmed that the bomb threat was a hoax,” said Nakas. He stressed that “calling in a bomb threat is a major criminal offense“ and further investigation would be done by the appropriate authorities.
Peterson said MPD has no leads and that they are not immediately able to determine whether it was a student who made the threat.

The Basilica is the largest church in the western hemisphere and recently hosted such notable events as Tony Snow’s funeral, attended by President George W. Bush, and Pope Benedict XVI’s address to Catholic Bishops last April. It is located adjacent to the campus and neighbors the Gibbons residence hall.